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fohn

fohn

9.9
A warm, dry wind that blows down mountain slopes and raises the temperature
  • noun
  • /foʊn/
  • UK
translation icon : fohn
  • The arrival of the fohn brought unseasonably warm temperatures to the mountain villages.

Examples

  • Thanks to the fohn wind, the snow melted rapidly overnight.

  • The fohn blew through the valley, bringing warmth.

  • Ski resorts sometimes close certain slopes when a fohn is expected due to increased avalanche risk.

  • Many hikers enjoy the fohn winds in spring.

  • The arrival of the fohn brought unseasonably warm temperatures to the mountain villages.

  • Thanks to the fohn wind, the snow melted rapidly overnight.

  • Ski resorts sometimes close certain slopes when a fohn is expected due to increased avalanche risk.

Synonyms

foehn
vsfohn
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A warm, dry wind that blows down mountain slopes and makes the air warmer and drier

is the same wind but written with an alternative spelling
chinook
vsfohn
  • US
1 7.7

A warm dry wind that blows down the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains

is the Alpine northern-slope version rather than the Rocky Mountain type
Chinook wind
vsfohn
  • US
8.2

A warm dry wind that blows down the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and quickly raises temperature

is the Alpine occurrence on northern slopes rather than the Rockies

Antonyms

25 1.0

A period when the air is much colder than usual

How Strong

storm
1.0
gale
24 5.8
fohn
  • UK
9.9
wind
1.0
to breeze
1 1.0

Surface Forms

fohn singular
fohns plural

Etymology

Fohn comes from the German Föhn, and before that from the Latin Favonius, which meant 'west wind' or a 'gentle wind'. That's why a fohn today is a warm, dry wind that blows down mountain slopes and quickly raises the temperature, like a sudden warm 'breeze'.